Blisters

Lavender and tea tree can each be purchased as a highly concentrated and fragrant essential oil. To use essential oils on a blister, dilute
them by adding five times as much of a neutral vegetable oil, such as
olive, almond, sesame,vitamin E, or avocado oil. To make an infused oil
with the herbs any of the herbs described below, pack a small, clean jar
with the herb,then cover the herbs with vegetable oil. Put a tight lid
on the jar. Allow it to steep in a sunny spot for two weeks, shaking it
every other day. After two weeks, strain the herbs out of the oil and
put it into a clean bottle. Store it in a cool place.

Herbal Remedies

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)

This wonderful, traditional herbal wound healer appears to work, in part, because it is rich in allantoin, a chemical that stimulates cell
proliferation, thus speeding the growth of healthy new skin. Salves
containing comfrey can be spread on blisters as needed.

Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

The yellow or orange flowers of this common garden herb are wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic. You’ll see calendula
as an ingredients in many first-aid creams. It makes a wonderful,
skin-healing infused oil. Use commercial products as directed on the
package or as needed.

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)

In addition to having wound healing properties, chamomile is also anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. If you have chamomile tea on hand, you
can simply dampen a teabag in warm water and hold it against the
blister as often as you need to.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifalia)

Lavender speeds healing and is mildly antiseptic. As an added benefit, just the smell of lavender has traditionally been used to lift
mood. Use commercial products as directed; dilute lavender essential oil
as directed above and use as often as needed.

St.-John’s Wort (Hypericum perf0ratum)

When applied topically in an infused (not essential)oil, St.-John Wort is wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic. Simply dab it
on the blister with a clean swab or cotton ball several times per day.

Basic Blister Care

Clean the area by soaking it briefly in warm water, or apply a small amount of hydrogen peroxide solution. Pat dry. Do not drain an intact
blister unless it is very large or is interfering with movement at a
joint.

If you need to drain the blister, pierce it with a sterilized needle, allow the fluid to drain and pat dry. Do not remove the protective
covering of skin until it begins to dry and peel on its own; you can
then remove it with your fingers or a pair of clean scissors. Apply a
small amount of herbal salve or cream to a bandage or soft piece of
gauze and gently cover the blister. Avoid further stress to the area for
several days. Repeat the cleaning and application of the herb cream and
dressings two or three times per day until the blister is healed.

Blister Balm

This herbal ointment is also appropriate for minor cuts, abrasions, burns, and fungal infections.

1/2 ounce dried calendula blossoms

1/2 ounce dried comfrey root

2 cups almond,olive, or other vegetable oil

1/2 cup finely chopped beeswax

10 drops lavender essential oil

10 drops tea tree essential oil

Combine the herbs and vegetable oil in a crock pot. Turn the crock pot to its lowest setting, cover, and allow to heat gently two to four
hours, checking and stirring frequently to prevent burning. When the oil
is yellow in color and has an “herby”smell, it’s done. Strain through a
coffee filter or piece of clean cloth into a large measuring cup. This
oil is now an infused herbal oil.

To each cup of infused oil (you’ll lose some in the straining process), add 1/4 cup of the beeswax. Heat the oil and beeswax together
over very low heat until the beeswax is completely melted. Do not allow
to boil or burn. Test the consistency by placing one tablespoon of the
mixture in the freezer for a minute or two until cool. The balm should
be the consistency of and easily spreadable paste. If it seems too thin,
add a little more beeswax; if too thick, add a little oil. Remove from
the heat. Quickly add the essential oils. Pour into clean glass
containers and cover tightly. Cool to room temperature.